Suwannee River Part 2: Mile 127 to 76
Day 4: 14 miles from Suwannee River State Park to Dowling Park Camp.
We passed under Interstate 10 and hit our first rapids, a term given loosely, it was more like 20 yards of fast water. I took video of dad going through it and you can check it out on youtube below.
Another Cave
Push not Pull
Caught in the Rain for 10 minutes
There were storms on the radar for several days, but we lucked out and only got caught in 10 minutes of rain. By the time we got to the river camp it was hot and sunny and I spent some time playing around on the beach.
Dowling Park
Sleeping platform on stilts
Day 5: 10 miles from Dowling Park to Lafayette State Park.
We were expecting to stay the day at the river camp because severe thunderstorms were forecasted, but by 10 we decided it was going to go North of us so we did a short trip to the next state park. We got a cabin when we got there by early afternoon.
To pass time I read and put together some puzzles I found in the cabin.
Found this ladder hanging from a tree over the water
Day 6: 8 miles from Lafayette State Park to Peacock Slough River Camp.
Another short day due to bad weather. We got there quickly and commenced to the task of staying warm. It was 50 degrees and the low that night would be 35. I had not expected it to get that cold and thus did not have the adequate attire, so I piled on all the clothes I had. I even sat in my sleeping bag to stay warm. That night was miserable and I did not sleep much due to being so cold.
Trying to stay warm in my sleeping bag!
Day 7: 19 miles from Peacock Slough to the town of Branford.
I got up early then got ready and ate in the bathroom where it was warmer. We got on the water around 7:40 and it was completely fogged in. I just wanted to be warm so I paddled in the fog for the first hour until the sun burned it off.
Can't see the river
Structure we came up to in the fog
Paddling in the Fog
I was grateful for the warmth of the sun after a frigid night. We paddled fast and made good time. We arrived in Branford around 1PM. However, after asking around we found there were no places to stay along the river until the next town 40 miles away. This was a problem because dad needed electricity to charge the batteries in order to propel the canoes, plus we couldn't camp in 30 degree weather for the next several nights. So reluctantly we decided to end the trip. I was quite upset and mad because I don't quit things and I wanted to paddle the river all the way to the Gulf. However, it wasn't to be and I could tell my dad couldn't take sleeping on the floor much more. Oh well, till next time!
70 miles to the Gulf
Total mileage: 95 miles on the Suwannee River
On the way back home we stopped at Mt Cheaha, the tallest point in Alabama. I had wanted to go there for awhile because it is the foothills of the Appalachians.
Next adventure: unknown!
